Michael Johnson: Nate Diaz “Really Sucked me in” With Taunting

Following Michael Johnson’s upset loss to Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 17, the lightweight contender has admitted he wasn’t at his best during the thrilling contest, thanks to the latter’s trash talk.

If you watched the awesome fight, then you know that early on, Johnson was doing pretty well in the stand-up exchanges with Diaz. As the fight wore on, however, Diaz repeatedly beat Johnson to the punch, and went on to earn the UD win.

You also know that Diaz wasn’t at a loss of words during the fight, and that he chatted away and threw in some taunting for good measure. Thus, this is why, Johnson relayed the following after the bout (quotes via MMA Junkie.com):

“It was an incredible experience, first off. Nate’s an incredible fighter,” Johnson said. “We went in there and gave you guys exactly what everybody wanted, and that was a ‘Fight of the Night’ performance. But you really don’t know how you’re going to react until he starts doing it. He sucked me in, so congrats to him.”

“…He really sucked me in with (the taunting). I got away from my game plan, and it is what it is.”

It certainly did seem like Johnson was pressing as the fight entered the latter half, and the well rounded fighter didn’t change up his tactics very much. Diaz has a nasty guard, no question, so that could explain why Johnson didn’t hunt for a takedown relentlessly.

Now it will be interesting to see what comes next for both men. How about Diaz versus the winner of Anthony Pettis – Eddie Alvarez? And how about booking a rematch between Johnson and Beneil Dariush? Considering most people didn’t have the latter winning that bout?